Dextrocardia y herniación intratorácica del hígado. Una rara entidad / Dextrocardia and Intrathoracic Herniation of the Liver. A Rare Entity

Introducción: la incidencia de dextrocardia como anomalía congénita es menor del 0.01% y la combinación con herniación intratorácica del hígado semejando una neoplasia benigna sin antecedente de trauma toracoabdominal abierto o contuso lo hace aún menos frecuente. Caso clínico: se presenta el caso de paciente femenina de 34 años de edad que consulta por dolor de espalda. Al examen físico, se auscultan ruidos cardíacos en el hemitórax derecho y la radiografía de tórax evidencia dextrocardia e imagen que semeja masa supra diafragmática derecha, la TAC trifásica confirma la presencia de protrusión de un segmento del hígado de forma redondeada a través de un defecto no abierto del hemidiafragma derecho. Su tratamiento ha sido conservador. Conclusión: la combinación de dextrocardia acompañada de herniación de una porción del hígado a través de un defecto del diafragma derecho es una asociación extremadamente rara y los reportes de caso publicados son escasos

Cambios en la tendencia histológica del cáncer pulmonar / Changes in lung cancer's histological trend

El cáncer pulmonar se establece como la segunda causa de muerte en países desarrollados y en algunos en vías de desarrollo. Su diagnóstico es tardío, sus opciones de resección y su curación aun con terapias adyuvantes son limitadas, lo que incide en la pobre sobrevida a 5 años, es por ello que se necesitan mayores esfuerzos para combatir el hábito del tabaco, principal agente etiológico. Material y Métodos: Se trata de un estudio descriptivo transversal en pacientes adultos atendidos de 01 de enero del 2011 al 31 de diciembre del 2021, ingresados al servicio de cirugía del Hospital San Vicente de Guatemala, con diagnósticos de cáncer pulmonar, masa pulmonar, derrame pleural o nódulo pulmonar solitario. Resultados: Se atendieron 202 pacientes con diagnósticos presuntivos de cáncer pulmonar, no encontrando diferencias significativas en relación al sexo. La edad mayormente afectada se estableció entre los 50 y 70 años. Prevalecieron los estadíos IIIA, IIIB y IV basados en los hallazgos clínicos, tomográficos y transoperatorios y solo al 10% se le sometió a una cirugía de resección pulmonar mayor. Los cánceres de células no pequeñas NSCLC fueron reportados en el 68.7% y el adenocarcinoma fue la variedad más frecuente con el 54.95% sobre el 7.29% del epidermoide. La mortalidad a los treinta días se estableció en 2.97%. Conclusión: El adenocarcinoma pulmonar ocupa el primer lugar en la incidencia de los cánceres pulmonares, desplazando así al carcinoma epidermoide popularizado desde la mitad del siglo pasado. Esta tendencia en el cambio histológico está firmemente asociado a las modificaciones en los hábitos del fumar (AU)

Lung cancer is established as the second cause of death in developed countries and in some developing ones. Its diagnosis is late, its resection options and its cure even with adjuvant therapies are limited, which affects the poor survival at 5 years, which is why greater efforts are needed to combat the tobacco habit, the main etiological agent. Material and Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study in adult patients treated from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2021, admitted to the surgery service of the Hospital San Vicente de Guatemala, with diagnoses of lung cancer, lung mass, effusion pleural or solitary pulmonary nodule. Results: 202 patients with presumptive diagnoses of lung cancer were treated, finding no significant differences in relation to sex and the most affected age was established between 50 and 70 years. Stages IIIA, IIIB, and IV prevailed based on clinical, tomographic, and intraoperative findings, and only 10% underwent major lung resection surgery. NSCLC non-small cell cancers were reported in 68.7% and adenocarcinoma was the most frequent variety with 54.95% over 7.29% of epidermoid. Thirty-day mortality was established at 2.97%. Conclusion: Pulmonary adenocarcinoma occupies the first place in the incidence of lung cancers, thus displacing squamous cell carcinoma popularized since the middle of the last century. This trend in histological change is strongly associated with changes in smoking habits.

Adding Prior Information in FWI through Relative Entropy.

Full waveform inversion is an advantageous technique for obtaining high-resolution subsurface information. In the petroleum industry, mainly in reservoir characterisation, it is common to use information from wells as previous information to decrease the ambiguity of the obtained results. For this, we propose adding a relative entropy term to the formalism of the full waveform inversion. In this context, entropy will be just a nomenclature for regularisation and will have the role of helping the converge to the global minimum. The application of entropy in inverse problems usually involves formulating the problem, so that it is possible to use statistical concepts. To avoid this step, we propose a deterministic application to the full waveform inversion. We will discuss some aspects of relative entropy and show three different ways of using them to add prior information through entropy in the inverse problem. We use a dynamic weighting scheme to add prior information through entropy. The idea is that the prior information can help to find the path of the global minimum at the beginning of the inversion process. In all cases, the prior information can be incorporated very quickly into the full waveform inversion and lead the inversion to the desired solution. When we include the logarithmic weighting that constitutes entropy to the inverse problem, we will suppress the low-intensity ripples and sharpen the point events. Thus, the addition of entropy relative to full waveform inversion can provide a result with better resolution. In regions where salt is present in the BP 2004 model, we obtained a significant improvement by adding prior information through the relative entropy for synthetic data. We will show that the prior information added through entropy in full-waveform inversion formalism will prove to be a way to avoid local minimums.

The Effect of Psychotherapy on Anxiety, Depression, and Quality of Life of Patients with Heart Failure: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract Background Patients with heart failure often experience depression, anxiety, and impacts on quality of life. Psychotherapeutic interventions have been used for chronic conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, showing improvement in mental health. However, no studies have assessed the effects of a psychological intervention using psychoanalysis on patients with heart failure. Objective To assess the effect of short-term psychotherapy on depressive symptoms, anxiety, and quality of life of patients seen at a specialty clinic. Method A randomized clinical trial with scales to assess outcomes before and after psychotherapy, under the perspective of psychoanalysis, with 12 weekly sessions. The Beck Depression Inventory, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire were used. The mean initial and final scores for quality of life, anxiety, and depression were compared using Student's t-test for independent samples when distribution was normal, or Mann-Whitney test when distribution was non-normal. A bivariate p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant for all analyses. Results This study involved 32 patients, 50% were female, mean age was 64.3±11.6, and most participants were New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class I (56.3%). For anxiety (p = 0.196), there was no statistically significant difference between groups. For quality of life and depression, there was a statistical difference (p = 0.009 and 0.035, respectively), with a medium effect (Cohen's d = 0.593) on quality of life. Conclusion Short-term psychotherapy in outpatients with heart failure showed an impact on depression and quality of life but did not improve anxiety. Int J Cardiovasc Sci. 2020; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0

VATS Uniportal, masterclass Guatemala / VATS Uniportal, masterclass Guatemala

En las dos últimas décadas la evolución de la cirugía mínimamente invasiva del tórax ha transmutado de un abordaje de tres puertos, siguiendo dos puertos hasta llegar a puerto único, conocido también como VATS Uniportal, procurando un confort mucho mejor para el paciente y resultados quirúrgicos similares. Objetivos. Presentar la técnica quirúrgica de VATS Uniportal en un hospital nacional, efectuadas por un experto internacional en este campo. Pacientes y Métodos. Se presentan dos casos clínicos quirúrgicos: El de una paciente con Miastenia Gravis a quien se le realizó timectomía por abordaje sub-xifoideo y otra paciente, a quien se le completó una lobectomía inferior derecha por hallazgos de patología posterior a la resección de un nódulo pulmonar solitario, reportado como cáncer primario de pulmón. Conclusiones. La técnica de cirugía mínimamente invasiva, VATS Uniportal, ofrece grandes beneficios para el paciente, tanto estéticos como funcionales y su aprendizaje es posible con la transmisión de conocimientos y experiencias directa con la presencia del experto o indirectas a través de la información publicada. (AU)

In the last two decades, the evolution of minimally invasive chest surgery has transmuted from a three-port approach, following two ports until reaching a single port, also known as VATS Uniportal, seeking much better comfort for the patient and similar surgical results. Objective. Present the VATS Uniportal surgical technique in a national hospital, performed by an international expert in this field. Patients and Methods. Two surgical clinical cases are presented: that of a patient with Myasthenia Gravis who underwent thymectomy through the sub-xiphoid approach and another patient, who underwent a right lower lobectomy due to findings of pathology after the resection of a pulmonary nodule. solitary, reported as primary lung cancer. Conclusions. The minimally invasive surgery technique, VATS Uniportal, offers great benefits for the patient, both aesthetic and functional and its learning is possible with the transmission of knowledge and experiences directly with the presence of the expert or indirectly through published information. (AU)

Parameters of 2-Dimensional Perineal Ultrasonography Before and After Male Sling Procedure for Urinary Incontinence After Radical Prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare ultrasonographic patterns of 2-dimensional perineal ultrasonography in men in the preoperative and postoperative periods after transobturator sling deployment for the treatment of urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy. Radiotherapy and radical prostatectomy are the primary treatments for localized prostate cancer. Studies comparing anatomic changes in men before and after radical prostatectomy based on perineal ultrasonography are scarce in the literature. METHODS: Thirty-one patients from 2 centers were selected for examination and surgery. They were allocated into mild and/or moderate and severe incontinence groups who underwent the transobturator sling procedure between August 2014 and August 2018. Perineal ultrasonography was performed in the preoperative period for 21 of these patients and 3-6 months postoperatively after the transobturator sling procedure for 30 patients. Hypermobility of the proximal urethra and voluntary contraction of the pelvic floor were evaluated during the Valsalva maneuver, perineal contraction and at rest. RESULTS: Clinical improvements of >50% were significantly more frequent in the mild and/or moderate vs severe incontinence group after male sling surgery (P = .035). Patients who demonstrated clinical improvement >50% showed a significantly greater displacement of the posterior portion of the bladder neck during contraction than those with clinical improvement <50% (P = .024). CONCLUSION: The most important finding of this study was the significant difference in the posterior displacement of the bladder neck during contraction in patients who showed an improvement >50% compared with those with an improvement <50%. These data support the use of perineal ultrasonography in evaluating and selecting patients for the male sling procedure.

Mosquitoes of the Caatinga. III. Larval Habitats, Frequency, and Dynamics of Immature and Adult Stages in a Dry Brazilian Forest.

Even though the seasonally dry tropical Caatinga forest is an historically neglected biome, recent studies have enhanced our knowledge of its biodiversity. We investigated larval habitats as well as the frequency and dynamics of immature and adult Culicidae in a conservation unit within the Caatinga in the Brazilian state of Sergipe. We carried out monthly surveys between July 2011 and October 2012 to count both immature (tree holes, bromeliad tanks, ponds, and rock holes and depressions) and adult individuals (Shannon traps baited with light). In total 8,021 individuals representing 32 taxa, eight of which are currently undescribed, were collected. The majority of the specimens collected came from tree holes followed by bromeliads, ponds, and rock depressions. Ponds had the highest species richness in this survey while the bromeliad fauna exhibited high endemicity. We also reveal a correlation between precipitation during the month prior to collection and the abundance of immature individuals in tree holes. Peaks in Haemagogus sp. near spegazzinii and Aedes terrens abundance were observed soon after rain, whereas Culex conservator was abundant during the rainy season in tree holes evidencing a species rotation within this habitat. Although the results of this study contribute to our knowledge regarding the distribution of mosquitoes in Brazilian semiarid region, further taxonomic studies will be required to fully understand the richness and endemism of the Neotropical Culicidae fauna.

Colecistectomía: resultados de una década de experiencia / Cholecystectomy: results. a decade of experience

Introducción: La colecistectomía, sea a través de una incisión subcostal o videolaparoscópica es la intervención quirúrgica por excelencia para remover la vesícula biliar. El objetivo del estudio es presentar la experiencia acumulada en este tipo de cirugía a través de diez años, sus indicaciones, sus modalidades quirúrgicas, la relación con otras patologías así como las complicaciones de las técnicas empleadas. Metodología: Se incluyen todos los casos quirúrgicos de pacientes con enfermedad de la vesícula y vías biliares ingresados del 01 de enero del 2006 al 31 de diciembre del 2016 en el Departamento de Cirugía del Hospital San Vicente. Resultados: Del 2006 al 2016 se intervinieron 985 pacientes de los cuales, 888 (90.15%) corresponden al sexo femenino. La edad promedio fue de 41 años para ambos sexos, no mostrando diferencias 40.78 vs. 40.95. La colecistitis crónica fue la indicación pre operatoria en el 98.7% y su relación con hernia umbilical fue del 2.23%. La técnica quirúrgica abierta se realizó en 702 (70.27%) y la vía laparoscópica en 260 (26.40%). La tasa global de complicaciones fue del 2.33% (23 / 985 pacientes) siendo el sangrado el más observado en 12 pacientes (1.21%) y la lesión de la vía biliar en 5 (0.50%). Conclusiones: La afección de la vesícula sigue afectando principalmente al sexo femenino, su resolución es esencialmente quirúrgica y en la actualidad la colecistectomía video laparoscópica se considera la cirugía por excelencia, sin que ésta anule la vía abierta por múltiples factores. Es un procedimiento de baja morbilidad y en nuestra serie no se acompañó de mortalidad.

Background: Cholecystectomy, performed with open incision or laparoscopically, by excellence it is the surgery to remove the pathological gallbladder. The aim of this study is to present the experience gained in this type of surgery within ten years, showing indicatons, surgical modalites, and the relaton with other pathologies as well as complicatons of the techniques employed. Methods: All surgical cases of patents with diseased gallbladder and bile ducts are admited from January 01, 2006 to December 31, 2016 in the Department of Surgery of San Vicente Hospital. Results: 985 patents were included, 888 (90.15%) are female. Average age was 41 years old for both sexes, showing no diferences 40.78 vs. 40.95. Chronic Cholecystts was the main preoperatve diagnosis in 98.7%, and its relaton with an umbilical hernia was 2.23%. The open technique was performed on 702 patents (70.27%) and laparoscopic approach on 260 patents (26.40%). The overall complicaton rate was 2.33%. Hemorrhage was the most common in 12 patents (1.21%), and bile duct injury in 5 patents (0.50%). Conclusion: Gallbladder disease is stll more common in women. Treatment is essentally surgical and currently laparoscopic cholecystectomy is considered the standard of care. Cholecystectomy has a low incidence of morbidity and in this study there was no mortality

Liposarcoma retroperitoneal: Reporte de caso / Retroperitoneal Liposarcoma: Case report

Los liposarcomas son tumores poco frecuentes, de comportamiento clínico silencioso y evolución variable dependiendo del tipo histológico, la recurrencia local y las metástasis a distancia. El tratamiento de elección es la resección quirúrgica total del tumor. Se presenta el caso de paciente femenina de 57 años de edad que consultó por tumor retroperitoneal cuyo diagnóstico por patología fue de liposarcoma bien diferenciado. Se reseca la totalidad el tumor, preservando el riñón derecho. Conclusión. La cirugía en caso de liposarcoma retroperitoneal es el tratamiento de elección donde la radioterapia y la quimioterapia juegan un papel controversial.

Liposarcomas are rare tumours, of silent clinical behavior and variable evoluton depending on histological type, local recurrence and distant metastases. Treatment of choice is tumors' complete surgical resecton. We hereby report the case of a 57-year-old female patent with a retroperitoneal tumor, whose fnal diagnosis was well-diferentated liposarcoma. The entre tumor was resected, preserving the right kidney. Conclusion. For Retroperitoneal Liposarcoma, surgery is the treatment of choice

Quiste Pleuropericárdico. Reporte de casos / Pleuro Pericardial Cyst

El quiste pleuro pericárdico es una lesión muy poco común que se produce por una alteración en la embriogénesis de la cavidad celómica primordialmente, aunque también puede ser adquirido. Su incidencia es infrecuente y su localización es esencialmente a nivel del ángulo cardiofrénico derecho. Presentación de casos. Se trata de tres pacientes de sexo femenino de la quinta y sexta década de la vida, con historia, tos, disnea y hallazgo incidental en la radiografía de tórax de lesión quística de localización mediastínica. Conclusiones. El quiste pleuro pericárdico es una entidad de diagnóstico generalmente incidental y su tratamiento es en principio conservador. La cirugía ya sea por toracotomía o videotoracoscopía se reserva para pacientes con indicaciones específicas

Pleuro pericardial cyst is a very rare injury that is caused by an alteraton in the embryogenesis of the coelomic cavity primarily, but can also be acquired. Its incidence is rare and its locaton is essentally level cardiophrenic right angle. Presentaton of cases. There are three female patents of the ffh and sixth decade of life, with history, cough, dyspnea and incidental fnding on chest radiograph of a mediastnal cystc lesion localizaton. Conclusions. Pleuro pericardial cyst is an entty generally incidental, diagnosis and treatment is conservatve. Surgery either by thoracotomy or VATS is reserved for patents with specifc indicatons

Parameters of two-dimensional perineal ultrasonography for evaluation of urinary incontinence after Radical Prostatectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Urinary incontinence remains a major concern for patients undergoing radical prostatectomy. Its prevalence can reach 20% in the late postoperative period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This clinical study investigated the differences of a dynamic evaluation of the urethra and pelvic floor contraction using perineal ultrasound in men without prostate surgery and in men submitted to radical prostatectomy with and without stress urinary incontinence. Ninety two male patients were included, which 70% of them underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) for more than one year. Thirty one men with clinically post prostatectomy incontinence were compared by two-dimensional (2D) perineal ultrasound to 34 patients without post prostatectomy incontinence and to 27 men without surgery in two centers in Brazil. RESULTS: Our results showed that the continent group presented the urethral angle at rest significantly lower than the prostate group (p = 0.0002). We also observed that the incontinent group showed the displacement of the anterior bladder neck during contraction significantly lower than the continent group (p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: We found that the continent group presented the urethral angle at rest significantly lower than the prostate group. The incontinent group also showed the anterior bladder neck displacement during contraction significantly lower than the continent group. It was more evident when the severe incontinent group and the continent group were compared.

Parameters of two-dimensional perineal ultrasonography for evaluation of urinary incontinence after Radical Prostatectomy

Introduction Urinary incontinence remains a major concern for patients undergoing radical prostatectomy. Its prevalence can reach 20% in the late postoperative period. Materials and Methods This clinical study investigated the differences of a dynamic evaluation of the urethra and pelvic floor contraction using perineal ultrasound in men without prostate surgery and in men submitted to radical prostatectomy with and without stress urinary incontinence. Ninety two male patients were included, which 70% of them underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) for more than one year. Thirty one men with clinically post prostatectomy incontinence were compared by two-dimensional (2D) perineal ultrasound to 34 patients without post prostatectomy incontinence and to 27 men without surgery in two centers in Brazil. Results Our results showed that the continent group presented the urethral angle at rest significantly lower than the prostate group (p = 0.0002). We also observed that the incontinent group showed the displacement of the anterior bladder neck during contraction significantly lower than the continent group (p = 0.008). Conclusions We found that the continent group presented the urethral angle at rest significantly lower than the prostate group. The incontinent group also showed the anterior bladder neck displacement during contraction significantly lower than the continent group. It was more evident when the severe incontinent group and the continent group were compared. .

Type of light i sand fly captures (diptera: psychodidae) / Tipo de luz en la captura de flebotominos (Diptera: Psychodidae)

The number of visceral leishmaniasis cases has been gradually increasing in Brazil. One of the strategies to reduce the disease transmission is based on vector control. It is therefore of great epidemiological importance to develop more refined methods for monitoring and controlling its vectors, which are the phlebotomine sand flies. The present study evaluates the performance of traps using UV light or conventional incandescent, or white, light in sand flies captures. Traps baited with UV light caught higher numbers of sand flies than traps baited with white light, indicating the potential use of UV light, especially in locations of low sand flies densities.

El número de casos de leishmaniasis visceral en Brasil ha ido en aumento, y una de las estrategias para reducir la transmisión de esta enfermedad tiene como base el control de sus vectores. Por tanto, es de gran importancia epidemiológica desarrollar métodos más refinados para monitorear y controlar sus vectores, que son los flebotominos. El presente estudio compara la atracción ejercida por la luz UV en comparación con luz incandescente convencional, o luz blanca, en la captura de flebotominos. Las trampas adaptadas con luz UV capturaron un mayor número de mosquitos que las trampas adaptadas con luz blanca, lo que indica el uso potencial de la luz ultravioleta, especialmente en las localidades de baja densidad de flebotominos.

Sandfly fauna in an area endemic for visceral leishmaniasis in Aracaju, State of Sergipe, Northeast Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, visceral leishmaniasis, a major public health problem, has been spreading from the rural to urban areas in many areas of Brazil, including Aracaju, the capital of the State of Sergipe. However, there are no studies of the sandfly fauna in this municipality or its variation over the year. METHODS: Phlebotomine sandflies were collected from a rural area of Aracaju from September 2007 to July 2009. Modified CDC ultra-violet (UV) light traps were used to evaluate sandfly monthly distribution and their presence in the domestic and peridomestic environments. RESULTS: The most abundant species was Lutzomyia longipalpis (90.4%) followed by Evandromyia lenti (9.6%). A chicken shed trap site had the highest proportion of L. longipalpis (51.1%) and large numbers of L. longipalpis were also collected in the houses closest to the chicken shed. There was a positive correlation between monthly rainfall and L. longipalpis abundance. CONCLUSIONS: Lutzomyia longipalpis is the most abundant species and is probably the main vector of the visceral leishmaniasis agent in the rural area of Aracaju. An increase in L. longipalpis frequency was observed during the rainy season. The peridomicile-intradomicile observations corroborate the importance of chicken sheds for the presence of L. longipalpis in the peridomestic environment. The great numbers of L. longipalpis inside the houses confirm the endophilic behaviour of this species and the possibility of visceral transmission in the intradomicile.

Sandfly fauna in an area endemic for visceral leishmaniasis in Aracaju, State of Sergipe, Northeast Brazil / Fauna flebotomínica em área endêmica de leishmaniose visceral em Aracaju, Estado de Sergipe, Nordeste do Bras

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, visceral leishmaniasis, a major public health problem, has been spreading from the rural to urban areas in many areas of Brazil, including Aracaju, the capital of the State of Sergipe. However, there are no studies of the sandfly fauna in this municipality or its variation over the year. METHODS: Phlebotomine sandflies were collected from a rural area of Aracaju from September 2007 to July 2009. Modified CDC ultra-violet (UV) light traps were used to evaluate sandfly monthly distribution and their presence in the domestic and peridomestic environments. RESULTS: The most abundant species was Lutzomyia longipalpis (90.4%) followed by Evandromyia lenti (9.6%). A chicken shed trap site had the highest proportion of L. longipalpis (51.1%) and large numbers of L. longipalpis were also collected in the houses closest to the chicken shed. There was a positive correlation between monthly rainfall and L. longipalpis abundance. CONCLUSIONS: Lutzomyia longipalpis is the most abundant species and is probably the main vector of the visceral leishmaniasis agent in the rural area of Aracaju. An increase in L. longipalpis frequency was observed during the rainy season. The peridomicile-intradomicile observations corroborate the importance of chicken sheds for the presence of L. longipalpis in the peridomestic environment. The great numbers of L. longipalpis inside the houses confirm the endophilic behaviour of this species and the possibility of visceral transmission in the intradomicile.

INTRODUÇÃO: Nos últimos anos, a leishmaniose visceral, um importante problema de saúde pública, vem apresentando expansão das áreas rurais para as urbanas de muitas regiões do Brasil, incluindo-se Aracaju, capital do Estado de Sergipe. No entanto, não existem estudos sobre a fauna de flebotomíneos presente nesse município ou de sua distribuição ao longo do ano. MÉTODOS: As coletas de flebotomíneos foram realizadas em uma área rural de Aracaju, capital do Estado de Sergipe no periodo de setembro de 2007 a julho de 2009. Armadilhas CDC modificadas acopladas com luz ultravioleta (UV) foram utilizadas para avaliar a distribuição mensal e a presença de flebotomíneos nos ambientes doméstico e peridoméstico. RESULTADOS: Lutzomyia longipalpis foi a espécie mais abundante (90,4%), seguida por Evandromyia lenti (9,6%). Os locais com as maiores quantidades de L. longipalpis (51,1%) foram um galinheiro e as casas mais próximas a ele. Houve uma correlação positiva entre a precipitação mensal e a abundância de L. longipalpis. CONCLUSÕES: Lutzomyia longipalpis é a espécie mais abundante e, provavelmente, o principal vetor do agente da leishmaniose visceral na área rural de Aracaju. Foi observado um aumento na frequência de L. longipalpis nos meses chuvosos. As coletas realizadas no ambiente externo e interno dos domicílios reforçam a relevância dos galinheiros para a presença de L. longipalpis no ambiente peridoméstico. O grande número de L. longipalpis dentro das casas confirma o comportamento endofílico dessa espécie e a possibilidade de transmissão intradomiciliar da leishmaniose visceral.

Estimates of DNA strand breakage in bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) leukocytes measured with the Comet and DNA diffusion assays.

The analysis of DNA damage by mean of Comet or single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assay has been commonly used to assess genotoxic impact in aquatic animals being able to detect exposure to low concentrations of contaminants in a wide range of species. The aims of this work were 1) to evaluate the usefulness of the Comet to detect DNA strand breakage in dolphin leukocytes, 2) to use the DNA diffusion assay to determine the amount of DNA strand breakage associated with apoptosis or necrosis, and 3) to determine the proportion of DNA strand breakage that was unrelated to apoptosis and necrosis. Significant intra-individual variation was observed in all of the estimates of DNA damage. DNA strand breakage was overestimated because a considerable amount (~29%) of the DNA damage was derived from apoptosis and necrosis. The remaining DNA damage in dolphin leukocytes was caused by factors unrelated to apoptosis and necrosis. These results indicate that the DNA diffusion assay is a complementary tool that can be used together with the Comet assay to assess DNA damage in bottlenose dolphins.

Estimates of DNA strand breakage in bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) leukocytes measured with the Comet and DNA diffusion assays

The analysis of DNA damage by mean of Comet or single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assay has been commonly used to assess genotoxic impact in aquatic animals being able to detect exposure to low concentrations of contaminants in a wide range of species. The aims of this work were 1) to evaluate the usefulness of the Comet to detect DNA strand breakage in dolphin leukocytes, 2) to use the DNA diffusion assay to determine the amount of DNA strand breakage associated with apoptosis or necrosis, and 3) to determine the proportion of DNA strand breakage that was unrelated to apoptosis and necrosis. Significant intra-individual variation was observed in all of the estimates of DNA damage. DNA strand breakage was overestimated because a considerable amount (~29 percent) of the DNA damage was derived from apoptosis and necrosis. The remaining DNA damage in dolphin leukocytes was caused by factors unrelated to apoptosis and necrosis. These results indicate that the DNA diffusion assay is a complementary tool that can be used together with the Comet assay to assess DNA damage in bottlenose dolphins(AU)

Estimates of DNA strand breakage in bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) leukocytes measured with the Comet and DNA diffusion assays

The analysis of DNA damage by mean of Comet or single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assay has been commonly used to assess genotoxic impact in aquatic animals being able to detect exposure to low concentrations of contaminants in a wide range of species. The aims of this work were 1) to evaluate the usefulness of the Comet to detect DNA strand breakage in dolphin leukocytes, 2) to use the DNA diffusion assay to determine the amount of DNA strand breakage associated with apoptosis or necrosis, and 3) to determine the proportion of DNA strand breakage that was unrelated to apoptosis and necrosis. Significant intra-individual variation was observed in all of the estimates of DNA damage. DNA strand breakage was overestimated because a considerable amount (~29 percent) of the DNA damage was derived from apoptosis and necrosis. The remaining DNA damage in dolphin leukocytes was caused by factors unrelated to apoptosis and necrosis. These results indicate that the DNA diffusion assay is a complementary tool that can be used together with the Comet assay to assess DNA damage in bottlenose dolphins

Nephrolithiasis and pyelonephritis in two West Indian manatees (Trichechus manatus spp.).

Two West Indian manatees (Trichechus manatus spp.) were reported with severe emaciation. One animal was a Florida manatee from the Everglades; the other was an Antillean manatee from Cuba. On necropsy, both animals had nephrolithiasis, pyelonephritis, and moderate to severe renomegaly. Histopathology revealed multifocal to diffuse pyelonephritis, interstitial nephritis, and nephrocalcinosis. The stones were analyzed and consisted primarily of calcium carbonate. Serum chemistry values for the Florida animal revealed no renal abnormalities. The mechanism of calculus formation remains unclear in manatees. In horses, another hindgut fermenter, the most common urolith is also calcium carbonate. Urinalyses performed on manatees are very similar to those of horses (i.e., alkaline urine, low specific gravity, and calcium carbonate crystals). Formation of uroliths in manatees may have a pathogenesis similar to equine urolithiasis.